Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: indication for gingivectomy: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: indication for gingivectomy

Sample item

Which clinical situation is best treated by gingivectomy?

AA furcation involvement with deep horizontal bone lossBFibrous gingival enlargement with suprabony pockets and ample attached gingivaCA deep two-wall intrabony defect requiring bone regenerationDGingival recession with a very narrow band of attached gingiva

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Fibrous gingival enlargement with suprabony pockets and ample attached gingiva

Gingivectomy excises the pocket wall and is indicated for suprabony pockets and fibrous enlargements when attached gingiva is adequate and there is no bone defect needing correction. Bony defects and mucogingival problems need flap procedures.

Option by option

A. A furcation involvement with deep horizontal bone loss
Furcation involvement with bone loss needs flap surgery and root or furcation therapy.
B. Fibrous gingival enlargement with suprabony pockets and ample attached gingiva (correct)
Correct. Suprabony pockets with fibrous enlargement and enough attached gingiva suit gingivectomy.
C. A deep two-wall intrabony defect requiring bone regeneration
Intrabony defects require flap access and regenerative surgery, not excision of the gingiva.
D. Gingival recession with a very narrow band of attached gingiva
Recession with minimal attached gingiva needs grafting, because gingivectomy would remove more of the little tissue present.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is B, Fibrous gingival enlargement with suprabony pockets and ample attached gingiva. Gingivectomy excises the pocket wall and is indicated for suprabony pockets and fibrous enlargements when attached gingiva is adequate and there is no bone defect needing correction.

Why is "A furcation involvement with deep horizontal bone loss" not the answer?

Furcation involvement with bone loss needs flap surgery and root or furcation therapy.

Why is "A deep two-wall intrabony defect requiring bone regeneration" not the answer?

Intrabony defects require flap access and regenerative surgery, not excision of the gingiva.

Why is "Gingival recession with a very narrow band of attached gingiva" not the answer?

Recession with minimal attached gingiva needs grafting, because gingivectomy would remove more of the little tissue present.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: indication for gingivectomy in Dentistry. Bony defects and mucogingival problems need flap procedures.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: indication for gingivectomy?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.